Heating and cooling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A heating and cooling apparatus provides hands free operation for heating and cooling a room and purifying the surrounding air. Apparatus includes a fan, a housing for receiving the fan, and at least one heating element positioned between an outer edge of the fan and an inner surface of the housing. Apparatus further includes system logic to control operation of a motor when a parameter, such as temperature or occupation of a room is detected. Housing includes air purifying properties to reduce virus or bacteria in the air moving through the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a heating and cooling apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus used to heat or cool a desired area. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus having a housing with a fan and a heating element, wherein the heating element is positioned between the fan and the inner surface of the housing configured to turn on/off through the use of logic.

2. Background Information

Mechanical fans are types of machines used to create flow within a fluid, typically air. Typically, axial-flow fans have blades that move air in a direction parallel to a motor drive shaft about which the blades rotate. Centrifugal fans have blades arranged to move air in a direction generally perpendicular to the intake air flow. Mixed-Flow fans move air both perpendicularly and parallel to the intake air flow.

Electrically powered mechanical fans used to move air in a desired space, typically the home, are well known and have been employed for at least a century. Over the years, improvements and variations have come and gone to the electric fan, namely, variations that alter the number of blades, the configuration of the blades, the size of the blades, the pitch angle of the blades, the drive motors, or the fan housings. Yet, even with these variations mechanical fans still have drawbacks and further, they often fail to employ modern technology.

Therefore, a need continues to exist for an improvement to the mechanical fan. The present invention address addresses this and other issues.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention provides a fan housed within a housing having a heating element attached inside the housing. The heating element and a motor may be in electrical communication with a temperature control system, a motion detector, or both. Logic controls the control system and the motion detector to cause the heating element or the motor to turn on/off when a programmed threshold has been reached. The present invention may heat a desired space when the heating elements are turned on and the motor is rotating the fan. The present invention may also cool a desired spaced when the heating elements are turned off but the motor is still rotating the fan.

In one aspect, the invention may provide a heating and cooling apparatus comprising: a fan comprising a plurality of blades extending between a support plate and a retaining collar; a housing configured to receive the fan; and at least one heating element attached to the housing.

In another aspect, the invention may provide a heating and cooling device comprising: a mixed flow fan to move fluid as the mixed flow fan rotates about an axis, the fan includes a plurality of blades having generally vertically extending exit edges to move fluid in a horizontal direction; a fan housing to receive the mixed flow fan, the housing including an annular sidewall, wherein the sidewall is spaced apart and generally parallel to the vertical exit edges, defining therebetween a heater element gap; and at least one heating element mounted to the fan housing and positioned in the heater element gap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A sample embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a first embodiment depicting heating and cooling device having a tapered annular housing;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view the assembled first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an assembled cross section elevation view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment depicting heating and cooling device having a vertical annular housing.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The heating and cooling apparatus of the present invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1-4 as 10, and shown in FIG. 5 as 210. Apparatus 10 includes a fan 12, a housing 14, at least one heating element 16, a motor 18, and a temperature control system 19. Apparatus 10 has a top 20 defined by housing 14, and a bottom 22 defined by fan 12 that therebetween define a vertical direction. Fan 12 includes an imaginary vertically extending center axis 13 defining a radial direction outwardly therefrom.

With primary reference to FIGS. 2-3, fan 12 is includes fan blades 24, support plate 26, collar 28, and rim 30. Support plate 26 has an upwardly facing top surface 32 and a downwardly facing bottom surface 34, each surface bound by an outer edge 49. An aperture 48 is formed in and extends through support plate 26 adjacent the center of plate 26. In the shown embodiment, support plate 26 is generally circular, however other geometric configurations are clearly possible. Support plate 26 further includes an outer segment 33 and an inner segment 35. Outer segment 33 is positioned radially outwardly from the inner segment relative to the center of plate 26. When viewed from the side (FIG. 3), outer segment 33 has an upwardly facing convex top surface and a downwardly facing concave surface, which respectively make up portions of top surface 32 and bottom surface 34. Continuing to look at a side view, inner segment 35 comprises an upwardly facing concave surface and a downwardly facing convex surface, which also respectively make up a portion of top surface 32 and bottom surface 34. Inner segment 35 defines through aperture 48 for receiving motor 18. Aperture 48 is in communication with boss 50 extending downward from bottom surface 34. Outer segment 33 defines outer edge 49.

Fan blades 24 extend downward from bottom surface 34 of support plate 26. Blades 24 include a blade entrance edge 36, a blade exit edge 38, a blade top edge 40, a blade bottom edge 42, a convex first blade surface 44, and a concave second blade surface 46. Blade entrance edge 36 extends downward from bottom surface 34 spaced apart from downwardly extending blade exit edge 38. Blade top edge 40 connects to bottom surface 34 and extends between entrance edge 36 and exit edge 38. Bottom edge 42 is spaced apart from top edge 40 extending between entrance edge 36 and exit edge 38. The respective edges 36, 38, 40 and 42 bound convex plate surface 44 and concave blade surface 46. To create the convex and concave surfaces 44 and 46, the blade edges are curved. When viewed from the side (FIG. 3), entrance edge 36 is slightly C-shaped. Top edge 40 mirrors the curvature of bottom surface 34 and its respective concave outer segment 33, and may be similar to convex inner segment 35. Exit edge 38 extends arcuately between support plate 26 and collar 28. Bottom edge 42 has a similar curvature as collar 28 (discussed further below).

Collar 28 includes a concave outer surface 52, a convex inner surface 54, a top edge 56 and a bottom edge 58. When viewed from the side, top edge 56 is above bottom edge 58. The respective edges 56, 58 bound collar outer surface 52 and collar inner surface 54. Collar 28 is generally annular and in which the concave outer surface 52 faces outwardly and downwardly from axis 13, and the convex inner surface 54 faces inwardly and upwardly relative to axis 13. Convex curvature of inner surface 54 mirrors arcuately extending bottom edge 42 along which each respective blade 24 connects to collar 28.

Rim 30 connects adjacent bottom edge 58. Rim 30 includes an upwardly facing rim top surface 60, a downwardly facing rim bottom surface 62, a rim horizontal segment 64, and a rim vertical segment 66. Rim horizontal segment 64 extends radially outward, relative to axis 13, in a horizontal manner from collar bottom edge 58. Rim horizontal segment 64 has a top and bottom surfaces which make up portions of rim top surface 60 and rim bottom surface 62 respectively. Rim vertical segment 66 extends upwardly in a substantially vertical manner from an outer edge of rim horizontal segment 64. Rim vertical segment 66 defines an upwardly facing outer rim edge.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2-4, fan 12 is configured to fit within or otherwise be received by housing 14. The first embodiment of housing 14 comprises a top plate 70, a slightly tapered annular sidewall 72 defining a cavity 74, and a bottom wall 76. Top plate 70 includes an upwardly facing top surface 78 and a downwardly facing bottom surface 80. The top plate surfaces 78, 80 are bound by an inner annular edge 82 spaced apart from an outer annular edge 84. Inner annular edge 82 defines a through aperture 86. Aperture 86 is in communication with cavity 74 and configured to permit motor 18 to extend through the aperture 86 to drive fan 12 when fan 12 is housed within housing 14.

Annular sidewall 72 extends downwardly from adjacent outer annular edge 84 towards bottom wall 76. Sidewall 72 includes an outwardly facing sidewall outer surface 88 and an inwardly facing sidewall inner surface 90. A plurality of heating element attachment areas 51 are positioned along inner surface 90 and configured to have heating element 16 positioned inwardly adjacent areas 51.

A first chamfered wall 92 connects bottom end of annular sidewall 72 to bottom wall 76. Chamfered wall 92 has a lower surface that faces outwardly and downwardly relative to axis 13 and an inwardly and upwardly facing upper surface. Bottom wall 76 extends generally horizontal from the first chamfered wall 92. Bottom wall 76 includes an upwardly facing top surface and a downwardly facing bottom surface. Bottom wall 76 is generally annular and horizontally aligned. A second chamfered wall 94 extends upwardly and inwardly from an inner edge of bottom wall 76. Second chamfered wall 94 has an inwardly and downwardly facing lower surface and an upwardly and outwardly facing upper surface. An annular edge 96 terminates second chamfered wall 94. Edge 96 defines a cavity aperture 98. Cavity aperture 98 is in communication with cavity 74 and configured to permit fan 12 to pass through the aperture 98 into the cavity 74.

With primary reference to FIG. 4, a plurality of exit portals or exit ports 100 are formed in annular sidewall 72. Each of the plurality of ports 100 are defined by a first horizontal edge 102, a second horizontal edge 104, a first vertical edge 106, and a second vertical edge 108. First horizontal edge 102 is spaced apart and above (when viewed from the side) the second horizontal edge 104. Horizontal edges 102, 104 extend between first vertical edge 106 and second vertical edge 108. First vertical edge 106 is spaced apart and positioned to the left (when viewed from the side) of second vertical edge 108. The spaced apart relationship of each of the plurality of ports 100 defines columns 110 between the first vertical edge 106 of one port and the second vertical edge 108 of the next adjacent port. Columns 110 generally have a vertical distance greater than a width distance.

In one embodiment columns 110 have air purifying properties. Columns 110 can have an anti-septic, anti-bacterial, bacteria reducing, or germicide coatings, attachments, or filters and the like. Some exemplary anti-septics or anti-bacterials used in or otherwise applied to the columns 110 include, but are in no way limited to: alcohols, aldehydes, oxidizing agents, phenolics, quaternary ammonium compounds, silver compounds, pure copper, copper alloys compounds, boric acids, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, cationic surfactants, ionizers, and similarly employed anti-septics and anti-bacterial compounds as known in the air-purifying art. The air purifying properties can be applied as a coating to the surface of housing 14. Alternatively, if housing 14 is a molded polymer, the air purifying properties can be integrally formed within housing 14 when it is housing 14 is formed or molded.

Heating element 16 comprises mounting bracket 112 and an element resistor 114. Mounting bracket 112 connects to annular sidewall 72 and extends radially inward of inner surface 90 adjacent area 51. Mounting bracket is preferably adjacent the bottom end of sidewall 72 within area 51, however other mounting locations are contemplated that permit element 16 to extend inwardly beyond inner surface 90. Heating element 16 is proximate to exit ports 100. Element resistor 114 is electrically connected to power source 17 (FIG. 1). Element resistor 114 is preferably a conventional ceramic heating element located within residential portable heaters. The ceramic element resistor 114 has a resistance when electricity from power source 17 is moved through resistor 114 causing resistor 114 to heat up. The heated resistor 114 allows heat to be transferred to the surrounding areas through natural radiation or with the assistance of moving air from fan 12. Additionally, element resistor 114 may be coated with nano-copper or nano-silver coatings to give element resistor 114 anti-microbial properties.

Motor 18 includes a drive shaft 116 vertically aligned with imaginary fan center axis 13. Drive shaft 116 extends through plate aperture 48 and securely attaches to boss 50 via either a set screw (unnumbered) or a push-button quick connect (not shown). Motor 18 is electrically connected to power source 17. While it is contemplated that motor 18 be a direct current motor ordinarily used to drive heating and cooling fans, other motor types of motors, such as alternating current motors, as understood in the art are clearly possible. For example, motor 18 could be a shaded pole AC motor, or brushed or brushless DC motors. Direct Current motors for fans use low voltage, typically 24V, 12V, or 5 V.

Temperature control system 19 is in electrical communication with heating element 16 and motor 18. System 19 includes a thermostat (not shown) configured to sense the temperature of the area surrounding apparatus 10. System 19 is further configured to be programmable to have a temperature set point. Control system may contain logic in communication with the temperature control system 19, the at least one heating element 16, and the motor configured to turn on one of the motor 18 and the at least one heating element 16, when the system 19 indicates the surrounding temperature is not equal to the set point temperature. Further, a motion detector 19 a containing logic may be in electrical communication with the motor 18 or the heating elements 16. Motion detector 19 a may be configured to turn on motor when a person enters or is detected in a set area surrounding the apparatus 10.

“Logic”, as used herein, includes but is not limited to hardware, firmware, a powered electric device comprising a processor to run software, software and/or combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s), and/or to cause a function or action from another logic, method, and/or system. For example, based on a desired application or needs, logic may include a software controlled microprocessor, discrete logic like an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmed logic device, a memory device containing instructions, or the like. Logic may include one or more gates, combinations of gates, or other circuit components. Logic may also be fully embodied as software. Where multiple logics are described, it may be possible to incorporate the multiple logics into one physical logic. Similarly, where a single logic is described, it may be possible to distribute that single logic between multiple physical logics.

With primary reference to FIG. 5, a second embodiment 210 depicts a plurality of exits ports 200 in housing 14 configured differently that the first embodiment. Exit ports 200 are U-shaped and formed in sidewall 272 adjacent the top. Ports 200 are defined by a bottom horizontal edge 202 extending between first and second vertical edges 206, 208. Ports 200 have an open top side when viewed from the side and the top annular plate 70 is not attached. The spaced apart relationship of plurality of ports 200 defines columns 210 between the first vertical edge 206 of one port and the second vertical edge 208 of the next adjacent port. Columns 210 generally have a vertical distance greater than a width distance.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention as herein described above, heating and cooling apparatus 10 and 210 provides a system that can heat, cool, and purify or disinfect ambient air while being operationally hands free. Through the use of logic, apparatus 10 and 210 knows to increase the temperature in the room or decrease the temperature in the room. Further, through the use of logic, apparatus 10 and 210 knows whether the room is occupied or unoccupied, thus whether or not to turn on the motor to rotate the fan. Even further, housing 14 disinfects air moving through system through the application of air purifying properties.

In operation, heating and cooling apparatus 10 is assembled by inserting fan 12 into cavity 74 of housing 14. Motor 18 is secured to fan 12 by drive shaft 116 extending through plate aperture 48 and secured to boss 50. Motor 18 is electrically connected to power source 17. Motor has on/off drive functions to cause drive shaft 116 to rotate. When turned on, motor rotates fan 12 about axis 13. The fan rotation causes air to be drawn in from the bottom 22 in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 1) into entrance ports defined by the blades 24. Blades 24 move air out of the fan exiting through ports 100 (FIGS. 1-3) or 200 (FIG. 5) from housing 14 in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 1).

Heating elements 16 are electrically connected to power source 17. Element 16 may turned on/off. When turned on, element resistor 114 converts electricity into heat through the process of Joule heating. Electric current runs through resistor 114 encountering a resistance, thus resulting in heating of the element 16. Heating elements 16 may be turned on independently of whether the fan 12 is rotating. When both heating elements 16 and fan 12 are turned on, the fan 12 will blow warmed air out exit ports 110 (FIGS. 1-3) or 210 (FIG. 5). Alternatively, heating elements may be connected to an alternate power source.

Temperature control system 19 is electrically connected to heating elements 16 and motor 18. Temperature control system may contain a thermostat (not shown) and be programmed to a desired set point temperature. For example, the set point temperature of the area surrounding apparatus 10 may be seventy-two degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature control system monitors the surrounding temperature via the thermostat. If the surrounding area temperature is hotter than the set point temperature, control system 19, through the use of logic, may turn on motor 18 causing fan 12 to rotate in order to cool the surrounding area. If the surrounding area temperature is colder than the set point temperature, control system 19, through the use of logic, may turn on the heating elements 16, with or without turning on the motor 18, to heat the surrounding area.

Motion detector 19 a (FIG. 1) or sensor may be configured in electrical communication with apparatus 10. Motion detector may monitor a desired area for movement. If movement is detected, motion detector, through the use of logic, may cause either one or both of the heating elements 16 or motor 18 to turn on. Motion detector may further monitor the desired area to detect an absence of movement. In the absence of movement, motion detector, through the use of logic, may cause either one or both of the heating elements 16 or motor 18 to turn off. Motion detector 19 a may be mounted to housing or may be mounted in electrical communication but physically separated from apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1 electrically connected to system 19. An exemplary motion sensor or detector 19 a that may be used in combination with the present invention 10 is commercially known under the name Vacancy Motion Detector, Model #R02-IPV15-1LM, manufactured by Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. of Melville, N.Y., clearly other commercially known motion sensor may be substituted.

When the motor is turned on air is drawn into the fan 12 from the bottom 22 in a generally vertical manner relative to axis 13 along directional arrow A (FIG. 1). As blades 24 turn, air is forced out the blade exit ports generally perpendicular, i.e., radially outward, relative to axis 13, along directional arrow B (FIG. 1). Stated otherwise, the air exiting the fan 12 is approximately perpendicular, i.e. moving radially, to the air entering the fan 12. As air exits the fan 12 in a generally radial manner and moves towards exiting the housing through the ports, sidewall 72 may contain disinfecting properties to cleanse the air. Sidewall 72 may contain, be integrally formed with, or be coated with solutions or compounds to reduce bacteria or viruses in the air, thus purifying the air.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the preferred embodiment of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 

What is claimed:
 1. A heating and cooling apparatus comprising: a fan comprising a plurality of blades extending between a support plate and a retaining collar; a housing configured to receive the fan; and at least one heating element attached to the housing.
 2. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an inner surface of the housing; an annular outer edge of the retaining collar on the fan; a spaced gap defined between the inner surface and the outer edge; and wherein the at least one heating element is disposed within the spaced gap.
 3. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein each blade comprises: a first edge extending along the support plate; a second edge spaced apart from the first edge extending along the collar; an entrance edge configured to draw air inwardly in a substantially vertical direction; and an exit edge spaced apart and shorter than the entrance edge configured to move air outwardly in a substantially horizontal direction.
 4. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein each blade comprises: a concave first surface to draw air generally vertically upwards; and an opposite facing convex second surface to move air horizontally outward as the fan rotates about an axis.
 5. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support plate includes: a concave segment extending through the center of the plate; an annular convex segment spaced radially outward of the concave segment; and wherein each blade extends downward from the plate beyond a bottom surface of said support plate and move air upward and radially outward as the fan rotates about an axis.
 6. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating element includes: an element resistor in electrical communication with a power source configured to receive electricity therethrough and adapted to radiate heat; and wherein the element resistor is positioned between an outer edge of the fan and an inner surface of the housing.
 7. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a temperature control system having logic to control a set point temperature, wherein the temperature control system is in communication with the heating element.
 8. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a drive motor connected to the fan; and a motion sensor operatively connected to the drive motor to turn the motor to one of the on and off positions when the motion sensor detects one of the following (a) movement and (b) an absence of movement.
 9. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: a tapered annular sidewall, having a first diameter at a top end of the sidewall and a second diameter at a bottom end of the sidewall, wherein the first and second diameters are not equal; said annular sidewall defining a cavity for receiving the fan; and a plurality of ports formed in the sidewall extending therethrough.
 10. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 9, wherein the top diameter is larger than the bottom diameter.
 11. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is integrally formed with air purifying properties.
 12. The heating and cooling apparatus of apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an annular sidewall comprising an air purifying coating.
 13. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes: an annular sidewall extending substantially vertical from a top edge to a bottom edge; and a plurality of u-shaped ports defined in the top of the sidewall.
 14. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an aperture formed in the center of the support plate adapted to receive a drive shaft of a motor; and a boss extending downward from the support plate aligned with the aperture adapted to secure the drive shaft to the plate permitting the fan to be rotated.
 15. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a motor having a drive shaft connected to the fan; a sensor to detect when an object has entered or left a defined space; and logic in communication with the sensor and the motor configured to turn on the motor when the sensor indicates a person has entered the space, and configured to turn off the motor when the sensor indicates a person has left the space.
 16. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a motor having a drive shaft operatively connected to the fan; a temperature control system to detect a temperature set point in a defined space; and logic in communication with the temperature control system, the at least one heating element, and the motor configured to turn on one of the motor and the at least one heating element, when the system indicates the surrounding temperature is not equal to the set point temperature.
 17. A heating and cooling device comprising: a mixed flow fan to move fluid as the mixed flow fan rotates about an axis, the fan includes a plurality of blades having generally vertically extending exit edges to move fluid in a horizontal direction; a fan housing to receive the mixed flow fan, the housing including an annular sidewall, wherein the sidewall is spaced apart and generally parallel to the vertical exit edges, defining therebetween a heater element gap; and at least one heating element mounted to the fan housing and positioned in the heater element gap.
 18. The heating and cooling device of claim 17, further comprising: a motor connected to the mixed flow fan; an air purifying material formed integrally into the fan housing; a sensor in communication with the motor to detect when an object has entered or left a defined space; a temperature control system in communication with the motor to detect a temperature set point in a defined space; and logic in communication with the temperature control system, the motion sensor, the at least one heating element, and the motor configured to turn on one of the motor and the at least one heating element, when one of (a) the temperature system indicates the surrounding temperature is not equal to the set point temperature and (b) the motion sensor indicates a person has left the space. 